Information payphone

A payphone comprising:

• a speaker;
• an off-hook sensor configured to generate an off-hook signal upon detecting an off-hook condition;
• a housing;
• an information storage unit located within the housing and having audio information stored therein, wherein the information storage unit is configured to send one or more parts of the audio information to the speaker when connected thereto so as to enable a user of said payphone to listen to said one or more parts of the audio information;
• a processing unit in the housing and coupled to the information storage unit and the off-hook sensor, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive the off-hook signal from the off-hook sensor and thereafter connect the information storage unit to the speaker upon occurrence of a predetermined event;
• and
• a line interface unit located within the housing and coupled to the processing unit and a communication network, wherein the line interface unit is configured to provide a signaling interface between the processing unit and the communication network,
• wherein the processing unit is configured to automatically perform the following while the user is listening to a first portion of said one or more parts of the audio information through the speaker:
• connect via the line interface unit to an information server coupled to the communication network, and
• download a second portion of said one or more parts of the audio information stored in said information server into said information storage unit.

An information retrieval system comprising:

• a telephone switching mechanism;
• an information server coupled to the telephone switching mechanism and having audio information stored therein;
• a telephone line connected to the telephone switching mechanism;
• and
• a payphone that includes:
• a speaker,
• a housing,
• an information storage unit located within the housing and having one or more parts of said audio information stored therein, wherein the information storage unit is configured to send one or more parts of the audio information to the speaker when connected thereto so as to enable a user of said payphone to listen to said one or more parts of the audio information, and
• a processing unit in the housing and coupled to the information storage unit and to the telephone line,
• wherein the telephone switching mechanism is configured to connect said information server to said telephone line upon receiving an indication therefor from said processing unit, and wherein the processing unit is configured to automatically perform the following before said user accesses said payphone:
• establish a first connection to said telephone switching mechanism over said telephone line,
• transmit, over said telephone line, said indication to said telephone switching mechanism for a second connection to said information server, and
• download, over said telephone line, said one or more parts of the audio information stored in said information server into said information storage unit when said second connection is established.